Self erecting protective shielding device for a one or more user

ABSTRACT

A self-erecting shielding structure is configured for erection in an outdoor/indoor seating area having a first predetermined width W and a first predetermined depth D. The self-erecting shielding structure includes a structure operable for transforming from a stored collapsed mode into an open expanded mode and post use back into the stored mode.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to self-erecting structures. Moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, the instant inventionrelates to a self-erecting structure which protects a user from theelements and potential harmful surrounding environmental conditions andis preferably portable and rapidly transformed from a stored mode to afully erected mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Structures for shielding oneself from the elements or environment, suchas tents have long existed. Some more novel structures include thosewhich are self-erecting. Such structures are typically made of a waterresistant fabric material and include a spring like wire frame forsupporting such fabric when the frame is relaxed to an erected position.The frame includes a single loop of flexible, coil type, resilientmaterial secured along its length into the structure's fabric. Thesestructures are typically configured for application on ground, whereinthe structure is stabilized with the driving stakes through stake loopscontained on the four corners of the structure.

These type of structures are relatively lightweight and can be carriedby one person. While these types of structures have found great use invarious ground or beach front applications, these do not lend themselveswell to all venues, such as sporting venues including stadiums, andoutdoor spectator events, or indoor use in arenas, planes, trains,buses, classrooms, for sanitary or privacy needs.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a new and unique structure whichaddresses these deficiencies in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a self-erectingstructure which is configured for application within an existing seatingarea and can be easily transformed between from a confined stored modeto an expanded open mode.

Another object is to provide a self-erecting shielding structure whichis configured for application within an existing seating area and can beeasily transformed between from a confined stored mode to an expandedopen mode and includes a material which is one of rain resistant, sunblocking, and/or radio wave blocking or absorbing.

Another objective is to provide a portable structure which is configuredfor application within an existing seating area which is lightweight andeasily carried.

Accordingly, the instant invention is directed to a self-erectingshielding structure configured for erection in a seating area A of whichcan be a public or private place having a first predetermined width W,preferably 18 inches to 24 inches, and a first predetermined depth D,preferably at least about 18 inches. The self-erecting shieldingstructure is operable by transforming from a stored collapsed mode intoan expanded mode and post use back into the stored mode. Theself-erecting shielding structure includes a frame formed from at leastone or more flexible coilable members, the frame having, when inexpanded mode, a defined base which is a width which is substantiallythat of the first predetermined width W and a depth substantially thatof the first predetermined depth D, and a plurality of sides which are aheight substantially sufficient to extend up from the base and above ahead of a person sitting in the seating area, or at least between about3 to 4 feet. The coilable member is configured in a way to form aperimeter shape defining a generally rectangular area and includes aflexible sheet material connected to the coilable member having fullycustomizable fully removable panels, to accommodate environmental needs.There can also be an optional attachable leg covering sheet which isconnectable to the front panel to be draped over one's legs. The sheetmaterial can include a material made of a waterproof material, a UV sunscreen material blocking or absorbing, and/or an RF blocking orabsorbing material. All of the sides, top and bottom are fully removableconnected by way of hook and loop material, or a zipper for example. Thesheet like material can be transparent, mesh or opaque depending on theuser's needs.

The top by virtue of the frame structure provides a run off of theenvironmental elements. In this regard, the structure in the expandedconfiguration maintains the sheet material in a stretched manner to aidin run off. The structure can be easily collapsed into a stored modewithout separation of the sides and top from the coilable member.Likewise, once collapsed, the structure can be easily converted to anexpanded mode without separating the sides and top and optionalcomponents. This is achieved by virtue of the coilable materialproviding sufficient spring force to provide the self-erectingstructure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in a use mode.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a stadium seat.

FIG. 3 is a left side panel view of a stadium seat.

FIG. 4 is a back side panel view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a front side panel the invention.

FIG. 6 is a right side panel view of the invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the invention in expanded mode.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the invention in expanded mode withside, top, back and front panels removed.

FIG. 8 is a view of the invention in a stored and collapsed mode.

FIG. 9 is a view of a container for the invention.

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of a SELF ERECTING PROTECTIVESHIELDING DEVICE.

FIG. 11 is a top view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of FIG. 10 with a translucent side.

FIG. 14 is a back side elevation of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a right side elevation of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a left side elevation of FIG. 10.

FIG. 17 is a view of a leg blanket part of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, the instant invention is directed to aself-erecting shielding structure which protects a user from theelements and potential harmful surrounding environmental conditions asdescribed herein is generally referred to by the numeral 10. Theself-erecting shielding structure 10 configured for erection in a,indoor/outdoor seating area A, such as chair 20 in a private or a publicplace. For example, a stadium chair 20 has seat 22 of a firstpredetermined width W, preferably 18 inches to 24 inches, and a firstpredetermined depth D, preferably at least about 22 inches. Theexemplary chair 20 shown has a height of about 30 inches with a back 24of a height of about 15 inches. The seat 22 is about 15 inches from abottom of the chair 20.

The self-erecting shielding structure 10 includes is operabletransforming from a stored collapsed mode as seen in FIG. 8 into an openexpanded mode as depicted in FIGS. 1, 4-76,10-16 and post use back intothe stored mode. The self-erecting shielding structure 10 includes aframe 12 which is formed from at least one or more flexible coilablemember 14. In particular, the coilable member 14 can be a made of amemory spring like wire material. The frame 12 in an expanded modedefines a bottom 16 which has a width substantially that of the firstpredetermined width W and a depth substantially that of the firstpredetermined depth D and a height substantially sufficient to extend upfrom the bottom 16 and above a head of a person sitting in the seatingarea A or at least up between about 3 to 4 feet from the bottom 16. In apreferred embodiment, it is envisioned this depth and width be slightlyless than that defined by the seat 22, but need not be tightlyrestrictive.

A flexible enclosure material 28 can cover the bottom 16, a top 34,sides 30, 32, back 36, and front 38. The coilable member 14 here isshown as configured in a way to form a perimeter shape of defining agenerally rectangular area and includes flexible enclosure material 28connected to the coilable member 14.

It is envisioned that one or more of the bottom 16, top 34, sides 30,32, back 36, and front 38 are equipped with a fully removable panel 25,31, 33, 37 and 39, respectively, see 31 in FIG. 6. Note, panel 33 issimilarly fully removable as is panel 37 in back 36, for example (seeFIG. 4) or and likewise panel 39 in front 38 as seen in FIG. 5. Therecan also be an optional attachable leg covering 40 which is connectableto the lower part of the front panel 39 to be draped over one's legs. Itis contemplated for example that the front 38, back 36 and leg covering40 can be optional and connected by such means as hook and loop orzipper. The flexible enclosure material 28 can include a sheet materialmade, e.g, fabric, plastic, a sun screen material, UV and/or RF blockingor absorbing and/or of a waterproof material. The one or more of thepanel 31, 33, 37 or 39 can connect by way of a zipper or hook and loopmaterial, for example. The flexible enclosure material 28 (panels 31,33, 37 and 39) can be translucent or opaque at least in areas of sides30, 32, back 36, and front 38. The top 34 can also have a panel 35 likeformed to be entirely removable and optionally translucent or opaque.FIGS. 10 and 13 depict an embodiment wherein the front panel 39 istranslucent. All panels 25, 35, 31, 33, 37 and 39 can be selectivelyentirely removable.

The top 34 is preferably is configured by virtue of the frame 12 in thisway to provide a run off for the environmental elements away from theframe 12, such as rain or snow. In this regard, the self-erectingshielding structure 10 in the expanded or open configuration maintainsthe flexible enclosure material 28 in a stretched manner to aid in runoff. The structure 10 can be collectively collapsible to a stored modeand provided with a restraining member 42, such as a bag or ties, tomaintain in a stored closed mode and whereupon removing said restrainingmember 42 self-erect to provide said self-erecting shielding structure10.

The components identified above, namely, bottom 26, top 34, sides 30,32, back 36, and front 38 can include fasteners 41A and 41B such as hookand loop materials, such as Velcro™, snaps, buttons, straps or grommetsor a zipper extending along a portion of each component, such as theperimeter of the same and a complementary part thereof is connected tothe frame 12. The fastener (41A) can connect to the coilable member 14and extends along a perimeter of the bottom (26), the top (34), and theone or more side (30, 32), back (36), and front (38). The fasteners 41Aand 41B can be selectively disposed on the inside or outside of theframe 12, with a preferred orientation disposed wherein a persondisposed on the inside of the structure 10 can remove a desired panel31, 33, 35, 37 or 39 and in FIGS. 10-16, the fasteners 41A canpreferably be a hook and loop portion which extend from the frame 14with the respective connecting surface facing inward toward thestructure and the complementary faster 41B is connected on the perimeterof respective panel 31, 33, 35, 37 or 39 facing outward and configuredto mate with fastener 41A.

The top 34, and one or more side 28, 32, back 36, and front 38 includesa removable panel 35, 31, 33, 37 and 39, respectively, which can beinterconnected via a fastener 41B having a connecting surface tocomplementary connect to a fastener 41A connected to and extending alongthe frame 12. Panels 31, 33, 37 and 39 extend from top 34 to bottom 16,whereas panel 35 extends downward from the top 34 and truncates short ofthe bottom 16 to permit one's legs to extend out from the frame 12. Inthis way, the user can apply or remove the desired panel 31, 33, 35, 37or 39 from within the structure 10. The fasteners are preferably weatherresistant to prevent leakage of water and the like as well as UV and RFblocking.

The self-erecting shielding structure 10 can be easily collapsed into astored mode without separation of the sides and top from the coilablemember. Likewise, once collapsed, the self-erecting shielding structure10 can be easily converted to expanded mode without separating the sidesand top, and option other components. This is achieved by virtue of thecoilable member 14 providing sufficient spring force to provide theself-erecting shielding structure 10. The one or more coilable member 14may be shaped as a rectangular, ellipse, oval, arcuate, square or thelike. Other shapes are also possible as is recognized by practitionersin the art.

1. A self-erecting shielding structure which protects a user from theelements and potential harmful surrounding environmental conditions, thestructure configured for erection in a seating area A of a firstpredetermined width W and a first predetermined depth D, which includes:a frame (12) which is formed from at least one flexible coilable member(14), wherein said frame (12) in an open mode defines a bottom (16)which has a width substantially that of the first predetermined width Wand a depth substantially that of the first predetermined depth D and aheight substantially sufficient to extend up from said bottom (16) andabove a head of a person sitting in the seating area A; and a flexibleenclosure material (28) covers a top (34), and one or more side (28,32), a back (36), and a front (38) connected to said frame (12), whereinsaid frame (12) and said flexible enclosure material (28) arecollectively collapsible and restrained to a stored mode and whereuponrelaxing self erects to provide said self-erecting shielding structureand wherein said top (34), and said one or more side (30, 32), said back(36), and said front (38) includes a fully removable panel (35), (31),(33) (37) and (39), respectively, which are interconnected via afastener (41B) having a connecting surface to complementary connect to afastener (41A) which is connected to and extending along said frame(12), wherein panel (35) extends downward from said top and truncatesshort of said bottom (16) to permit one's legs to extend out from saidframe (12).
 2. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, whichis provided with a restraining member (42) to maintain in a storedclosed mode and by removing said restraining member (42) enablesexpansion of said self-erecting shielding structure.
 3. Theself-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein said fasteningmembers 41A and 41B include complementary hook and loop material.
 4. Theself-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein said flexiblematerial includes an attachable leg covering (40) connectable to saidfront panel bottom with one of a hook and loop, snap, and zipper.
 5. Theself-erecting shielding structure of claim 3, wherein said panels (35),(31), (33) (37) and (39) and leg covering (40) are removably connectedby way of one of a hook and loop, snap, and zipper
 6. The self-erectingshielding structure of claim 1, wherein said flexible enclosure material(28) is made of one of a waterproof material, plastic, a UV absorbingand/or blocking material and an RF absorbing and/or blocking material.7. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein saidflexible enclosure material (28) includes one of translucent and opaquematerial.
 8. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, whereinsaid top (34) by virtue of said frame (12) provides a run off of theenvironmental elements away from a front of said frame.
 9. Theself-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein said coilablemember (14) is configured to self erect in a generally rectangular form.10. The self-erecting shielding structure of claim 1, wherein saidfastener portion (41A) connects to said coilable member 14 and extendsalong a perimeter of said bottom (26), said top (34), and said one ormore side (30, 32), said back (36), and said front (38).